Boosting popularity is key to soccer success

China needs to increase the popularity of soccer if it wants to one day have a world-class team, according to the game's top official in Costa Rica.

Eduardo Li, president of the Costa Rican Football Federation, spearheaded reforms that turned his country into a soccer power.

Costa Rica's team was an underdog that surprised football fans and experts alike by reaching the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Brazil this year.

He said the difference between Costa Rica and China in soccer terms is that his countrymen are "100 percent football fans" who are interested in the game, play the game nationwide and generate new talent.

"Perhaps that is what is lacking in China, popularizing soccer so it can have the talent it needs to reach the world-class level it seeks," said Li, a second-generation Costa Rican of Chinese ancestry.

He explained the steps Costa Rica took to transform soccer in the country.

"Thanks to the efforts of not just me, but also others, Costa Rica today has (a program called) Project Goal that makes us proud internationally," said Li.

The first step was to change the statutes of the national federation, based on the statutes of the International Federation of Associated Football, to prevent its president from being appointed or dismissed depending on whether the national team wins or loses.

"Other reforms included bringing professionals into the management area, so the federation is managed like the private company that it is," said Li.

"There are no secrets. All you need is a well-qualified group with a willingness to work.

"The key is to recruit valuable professionals in all areas - the athletic area, the coaching area, the medical area."

Costa Rica also improved its minor leagues around the country. Li said the federation still needed to upgrade its scouting system to uncover new talent.

The federation receives no funding from the government, so it has the autonomy to make the decisions it deems best for soccer, said Li.

"And that's better, because political interference, with all due respect, is not recommended in my opinion."

Spending alone is not enough, he said, adding, "Larger developing countries don't have the talent Costa Rica has, even though we don't have the financial resources they do."

Li said he was willing to organize exchange programs with China and cooperate in other ways to improve soccer in both countries.

He also acknowledged the "enormous contribution" that China's government made to Costa Rican soccer with its donation of the San Jose National Stadium, which was inaugurated in 2011.

Li, the grandson of Chinese emigrants, was born in Costa Rica's Pacific coast town of Puntarenas and has traveled to China several times.

"I am very proud of my Chinese roots and of my ancestors," he said.